CHRISTUS VICTOR LUTHERAN CHURCH - Rev. Thomas J. Slater, Pastor
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A Newsletter of the People of
CHRISTUS VICTOR LUTHERAN CHURCH
15600 North Tamiami Trail
Naples, Florida 34110-6245
(239) 597-1043
Rev. Thomas J. Slater, Pastor
1
Thanks Be To God, who gives us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ"
(I Cor. 15:57)
Don't just live...live victoriously!
Pastor Tom’s Page
To the CVLC Council and Congregation:
After much prayer and discernment, Sherry and I have made the decision to retire from
our respective calls at Christus Victor.
The changes that we see happening in the world, our community, and in the church, led us to
discuss what will need to be relaunched here at Christus Victor as we continue to make our way out
of the pandemic. Our Long-Range Planning Committee has gotten off to a great start in creating a
new vision with the help of the congregational survey. That relaunching will need a leader that is
highly motivated and has the energy to undertake that process.
Sherry will be retiring from her position as Director of Senior Ministry at the end of December 2021,
and I will be retiring as your Pastor on April 30, 2022. This gives us the ability to celebrate the two
greatest festivals in the church, Christmas and Easter, one more time with you.
Our decision was not reached lightly, but with consideration of what is next for Christus Victor. It is
with complete conviction that I feel it's time to step aside and allow different leadership to create a
new vision for the ministry here at Christus Victor.
These last 25+ years have been filled with the highs and lows of a really great ministry, and I have
enjoyed serving side by side with all of you, the members, the various councils, and with the staff of
this great church.
God has a wonderful plan in store for Christus Victor and its next shepherd. It has been our honor to
serve God for so long in this dynamic congregation of loving disciples. God's blessings be with you as
you move forward in service to build God's kingdom and share God's love with all people.
In Christ's Name,
Pastor Tom & Sherry
2
Just a Reminder New Worship Times
Starting October 3rd, we will move to two services, 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.,
so that we can provide enough space for everyone to worship safely.
All of our other protocols will stay in place as far as the requirement of wearing a mask,
sanitizing our hands, and individual communion packets. I look forward to seeing you in
church or online.
- No registration is required. Just show up! We are happy to see you!
- We have opened all rows in the sanctuary to create a greater opportunity for social
distancing if desired, or for larger groups to sit together.
- Masks will be required in the church building during worship so that we can continue to
provide the greatest safety for all our members and visitors and so that we can continue to
sing along with the hymns.
As a community of believers, we are called to watch out for one another and to keep the
most vulnerable among us as safe as possible. We are grateful for your patience during
these difficult and uncertain times. We come on Sundays to worship and praise the Lord,
and the “how” we must worship is not as important as the call to focus on the “reason” we
worship. JOIN US EACH WEEK and PRAY OFTEN!
Blessings,
Pastor Tom
3
Online Giving
We have had a number of questions about opportunities to continue contributing to CVLC
when we don’t attend services. One option is to mail your checks to the church (we have a
secure mailbox) 15600 Tamiami Trail N., Naples, FL 34110. Another option is to use our
E-Giving program as follows:
Go to the CVLC website (www.christusvictorfl.org).
Click on “Give” (upper right)
Under “Two Ways to Enroll” click on “online”
Then indicate the amount you wish to contribute
Choose the frequency using the drop-down
Create your Online Profile so that you can easily return to your online account
Click on “Continue” at bottom left and follow the prompts.
You have the option of having the contributions come directly from your checking account
(our preference), or you can make contributions via credit card (this option deducts at least
2.5% from your contribution before it gets to us.
If you have any questions or need assistance with setting up the account, please contact
CVLC Treasurer (Doc) at 509-595-7399.
Pastor Tom’s Online Bible Study Book of John
Tuesdays through Tuesday, October 26th
It’s not too late to jump in and join the weekly Bible Study on the Gospel of John being led
by Pastor Tom. I will go through chapter by chapter digging into the meaning of the words
of John. Each week the Bible Study will be online by Tuesday morning. All you need is your
Bible. If any questions arise in your heart, send them to pastorslater@cvlcfl.org to be dealt
with before the next week’s session. The Bible Study will run through the month of October.
See you online!
4
From the Desk of the Synod Parish Deacon
October 3rd will be a busy day at Christus Victor, we will have two services
(8:30am and 10:45am) and we will start Sunday School and adult forum at
9:30am.
The adult forum will be in person and available on Zoom. We will live stream
the early service starting at 8:15am. The service will be archived and available after 9:30am.
I pray to God to keep everyone safe and ask him to send the Holy Spirit to guide everyone
to get vaccinated and wear a mask.
M.E.L.S, ((M)en (E)ating (L)earning and (S)upporting), our men’s ministry group is
cancelled until further notice.
I pray for guidance and look forward to continuing to serve the members of Christus Vic-
tor Lutheran Church.
Blessings,
Gerry Benjamin
Synod Parish Deacon
Monday,
October 18th
10:00a.m.—11:00a.m.
We will not be doing the evening Drive-Through anymore. If 10:00-11:00a.m. does not work
for you, please call the church office, 597-1043, and we can set up a time for you to pick up
Communion that is convenient for you.
Sick or Hospitalized?
Please tell us if you or someone you know in the congregation will be hospitalized or in
need of a visit as we are not routinely notified by local hospitals when members are
admitted. The office number is 597-1043. Prayer for one another is understanding love.
5
Music Notes by Joyce Reitz, Director of Music
As we continue our journey through this Pandemic, may we feel the Spirit of our Lord,
the Good Shepherd, watching over us.
It is hard to believe that October is here and we will now be worshiping at two services
and also continue to live stream. We will still need to wear masks and social distance in
protection of ourselves and others.
We still will not be able to have the choir. I know you all miss their music as much as I do,
so let us pray that soon we can get back to normal.
Thank you, Greg for sharing your talents in our duet last month. The congregation loved
it.
I will be on vacation two weeks in October. On the 24th a student from Ave Maria will be
playing piano for the service. Her name is Susanna O’Herron. Please make her feel
welcome. She is a student of Dr. Alexandra Carlson who had played for us a couple years
ago. She will be playing some classical music for us.
I continue my cancer treatment and I continue to feel fine. With your prayers and God’s
Grace I will surmount this bump on the road. I do want to thank you all for your prayers and
love. It is helping!
May God bless our congregation as we continue to move forward!
Until next month, keep a song in your hearts!
Joyce
6
CVLC YARD SALE – IS HAPPENING NOW!
COME ONE, COME ALL!
From Sunday, October 3rd through Sunday, October 24th, MEMBERS, their friends, and
family members can come to the church during the week MONDAY THROUGH
THURSDAY, 9:30 am until 1:30 pm, or after church each Sunday, and check out all the
good items we’ve collected.
Masks must be worn.
After October 24th, any items still remaining will be donated to various charities through-
out the community.
This effort was to raise funds for The Community Church in Babcock Ranch, a new ELCA
Mission congregation. If you prefer to donate directly to this cause, please write a check
out to Christus Victor and indicate your preference in this regard.
I sought my soul, but my soul I could not see.
I sought my God, but my God often eluded me.
I sought my brother and I found all three.
…Anonymous
7
Mary Martha Circle
Our fall Bible study series is titled “ The gift of the spirit”. Celtic Christians likened the Holy
Spirit not to a dove, but to a goose. In our fall Gather Bible study, the Rev. Sara Olson-Smith,
associate pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa, leads us on our own divine
Wild Goose chase. We’ll track the Holy Spirit’s actions throughout the Bible and throughout
our lives. We’ll explore how the Spirit moves God’s people into adventures and lives we
would never dare risk on our own.
Session 2: Breath of God: Reviver and reformer October 12, 2021
The Holy Spirit is the breath of God, giving life and building community. Beginning with the
breath God gave that first human, continuing with the breath that made dry bones dance,
God’s Spirit continues to revive us. We will see the ways that the Spirit gives life—not just to
us as individuals, but to our communities, reconciling us and forming us into life-giving com-
munities, even in our diversity.
Session 3: Wind of God: Refiner and Re-router November 9
The Holy Spirit is the wind of God, moving us into deeper faithfulness and more authentic
love. We’ll see the ways in which God’s Spirit moves us to bear good fruit in the world and
refines us into our truest selves. We will also follow the Spirit’s movements through the ear-
ly church to see how the Spirit re-routes God’s people, guiding us into transformed lives and
renewed communities of faith.
Join us via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84690901121?pwd=cCtoU0V3RUROZnNSbzBTTTdpZk5wZz09
8
October 24th & 31st have been designated as the Annual “Undy Sunday” Drive by the
Catholic Charities of Collier County. This supplies necessary new underwear and socks to
needy school kids. Collection boxes will be in the narthex for you to deposit your gifts. All
children’s sizes of underwear and socks are needed. Cash donations may be placed in pew
envelopes marked “Undy Sunday” Let’s help out the needy kids with our gifts. Thank you!
LIFE LINE SCREENING…Monday, October 25th
at Christus Victor
Informational posters are available in the narthex of the church,
through Dawn, or e-mail Sherry…
Stay healthy and get the appropriate checkups!
9
Children and Youth: Sundays 9:30-10:30am Come in person or watch online! Online Sunday
School can be found on our church YouTube channel. Please join us as we learn about God’s love
in a fun and vibrant way. Follow CVLC on Facebook for talking points about the theme through-
out the week.
The theme for October is “Individuality: Discovering who you’re meant to be so you can make a
difference”. How You made me is amazing and wonderful. I praise You for that. What You have
done is wonderful. I know that very well. —Psalm 139:14
Date Bottom Line Bible Story
Oct 3 You were made in God’s image. Image of God, Genesis 1:26-28
Oct 10 Knowing Jesus changes how you see yourself. Matthew, Matthew 9:9-13
Oct 17 Use your gifts to help others. Lydia, Acts 16:13-15
Oct 24 You can make a difference right now. Timothy, 1 Timothy 4:12
Oct 31 We can use our gifts together to make a great difference. One Body but Many Parts, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Remember to take time throughout the week to talk to your children about the bottom line. Ask questions,
listen to their answers, and be prepared to share your own personal story. “When kids believe they are made
in the image of God, they recognize their God-given potential and worth. “ —Reggie Joiner
Breakfast Club: Sundays 9:30-10:30am Meet with other parents for lessons, devotions, coffee,
and fellowship while children are in Sunday School. This is a new group. The members of the
group will decide on topics and focus as we move forward. The topics for October are:
Oct 3 Can You Sense the Old Testament?
Oct 10 In Our Home – Devotional
Oct 17 Christian Contemporary Song with Scripture
Oct 24 Chit Chat Hour – Plan for November
Oct 31 Faith Lens – Compare Scripture with Current Events
Adult Bible Fellowship: Sundays 9:30-10:30am Oct 3—Nov 7 Jesus: The God Who Knows
Your Name Spend some time in conversation with other adults as Deacon Gerry Benjamin leads the
group through this 6 session class designed by Max Lucado.
Youth Group: Wednesdays 6-7:30pm Youth in 6th to 12th grade gather for a lesson, food,
fellowship, and fun! Contact Susan O’Brien susanobrien@cvlcfl.org for more information or to be
included in the text group.
**Masks are required inside all CVLC buildings**
10Sunday Learning Opportunities
*Masks are required inside all CVLC buildings at this time.*
Our Church Council is monitoring safety guidelines, so adjustments
to classes may be made as more information is available.
Sunday School
October 3, 2021 9:30-10:30am
Children and youth will start and end their class in the Large
Gathering Room before being dismissed to their classrooms.
Sunday School videos will also be available online each week.
Adult Bible Fellowship
Oct 3—Nov 7 9:30 –10:30am
Jesus: The God Who Knows Your Name
Spend some time in conversation with other adults
as Deacon Gerry Benjamin leads the group through
this 6 session class designed by Max Lucado.
Breakfast Club Kickoff
October 3rd 9:30—10:30am
This parenting group will meet weekly to discuss
topics interesting to the parents in the group. Please
join us to help determine the topics and flow as we
make plans for the year.
11Education Team Meeting
Our team works best with a lot of different voices.
Teachers, helpers, planners, and supporters are all welcome!!!
Come or Zoom into the next Education Team meeting on Oct 14 at 6pm
Or contact Susan O’Brien susanobrien@cvlcfl.org or 239-597-1043
Support Christus Victor every time you shop on Amazon, at no extra cost to you! When you
shop at AmazonSmile, it doesn’t cost you any more and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your
purchase to Christus Victor!
Use this link to make sure that you are donating to us:
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/59-1721010
Or you can go to smile.amazon.com , click “Get Started”, and search for Christus Victor
Lutheran Church. There are several churches with our name, so please make sure that you
look for the one in Naples, Florida.
12CVLC SENIOR CORNER…
Yeah – October is here and here are some
interesting Facts about this beautiful
month:
• Tourmaline and opal are the official birth-
stones of October.
• The birth flower of October is the bright or-
ange calendula, also known as the marigold.
• The star sign of everyone born in October is either a Libra or a Scorpio.
October and January always start on the same day of the week in common years. In leap
years, October doesn't start on the same day of the week as any other month. October
and February always end on the same weekday!
Here’s something for your morning devotions…
Take a piece of paper and write at the top:
A List of the things I love”
And then start writing…see how many items you can
come up with.
These are the things that you “delight” in – the things you
love. Most of us should have quite a list. Do you delight in
the same way, in God? Where is God on that list? We are
blessed just to be alive. God gives us the desires of our
heart – Life is good. Don’t forget to say “thank you” !
13Under the article: “Blue Zones Project:
Good Health is a Community Effort” the
following was reported…
“We see it in the news every day: America’s
health care is in crisis; we spend way more on
health care than other developed nations; we are
unsuccessfully battling epidemics of obesity, type
2 diabetes, and dementia.
Our current approach to health care is “really
sick” care—it starts when a person goes to the
hospital, emergency room, or doctor’s office because he or she has a problem. But health
starts at home—in our kitchens, our workplaces, our schools, our roads, and our cities.
We make hundreds of decisions every day, and we make most of them without thinking.
Unfortunately, our food environments are designed so that the easiest choice is to con-
sume low-quality, high-calorie food. Similarly, our built environments—our roads, build-
ing, and towns—are designed so that the easiest choice is to be sedentary (to drive in-
stead of bike or walk).”
TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF IS WORTH THE EFFORT! As the weather gets less humid
remember to get out there and walk OR ride your bike, watch what you eat, and stay
hydrated. Just a few changes in your habits can lower healthcare costs, improve your
productivity and improve the quality of your life. Good stewardship starts with taking care
of YOU!
14Senior Ministry – Senior Food Project: Thank you Fran Chinn for
making the main meal and to Lavinia Hall for her
very special assist!!
Thank you to EVERYONE who continues to bring in food, prepare
food, and help organize for this very important community project.
What you do is greatly appreciated by many.
NEXT PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY DAY IS…
Monday, October 25th
Make your sandwiches at home and bring them to church by
11:15 am
Or join us in making the sandwiches – CVLC Kitchen Area starting
@ 10:30 am
15CALLING ALL MEMBERS WHO HAVE SERVED IN ANY
BRANCH OF THE MILITARY…
Well…our very own quilter extraordinaire, Nancy Linzmeyer, has once again donated an
amazing quilt to CVLC to honor one of you who has served in any branch of our United
States Military!
This quilt is currently on display in the church narthex, and by the quilt is a box with regis-
tration forms for any veteran to fill out and enter to win this fantastic gift. Not joining us
at church yet – no worries, e-mail Sherry and she’ll get your name in for you!
On Sunday, November 7th – a few days before Veterans Day [Thursday, November 11th] –
Pastor Slater will draw one of the names in between the services to see who has won. All
veterans will be honored during the service. So, get your name in to win as soon as
possible!
16GET STARTED READING NOW FOR THE
CVLC BOOK CLUB!
October 26th [Tuesday] @ 1:00 pm – Please read:
THE PARIS LIBRARY by Janet Skeslien Charles
November & December – No Book Club
START READING FOR SEASON…Dates to be determined…
January’s Book:
THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY by Rachel Joyce
February’s Book:
SURVIVING SAVANNAH by Patti Henry
March’s Book: To be determined
17Great opportunities to help others seldom come,
but small ones surround us every day. …Sally Koch
LET’S HELP THE COMMUNITY!
There are many organizations we donate to that are in need of unexpired
canned food items of any type!! Vegetables, Fruits, Soups, Meats, and
Complete Meal Cans like Spaghetti or Beefaroni.
They could also use any type of full-size Cleaning and Personal Care
Products you could donate.
Likewise, paper products like Kleenex, Toilet Paper, and Paper Towels.
Items can be brought into the church during the week, or feel free to bring
them on Sunday Mornings and put them in the Grocery Carts in the
Outreach Room…
Thanks so much for anything you can contribute!
The meaning of life is to find your gift.
The purpose of life is to give it away. …Pablo Picasso
18Thank you Stephen Stidinger for the wonderful and informative postings on the
Christus Victor Facebook page!!! Now all the congregation has to do is. . .
AND
Visit the Christus Victor YouTube channel to view our
worship services. Please copy and paste the link below
into your browser.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGS9TN9p5QWOIMlE0mGCCdw
Daily Grace is an on-the-go companion for your
journey, offering a faith reflection every day.
Encounter God’s extravagant, boundless and
often surprising grace by signing up for a daily
email message. Please copy and paste the link
below into your browser. You can also download
the newly updated app for your IOS and Android
devices. https://www.womenoftheelca.org/
blog/category/daily-grace
Blood pressure is no joke!
We encourage EVERYONE to monitor your blood
pressure. Make sure to get some exercise in your
day and strive to eat as healthy as possible!
God wants us to treat our bodies like the temple they are.
1917 Carol Phillips
October Isaac Perez
21 Cindy Ferguson
1 Haley Bevan Barbara Reyes
Kenneth Kosbab 22 Miatta Harris
4 Anna Sweet Kim Heindl
Kay Helle 23 Samantha Sweet
5 Kay Anderson 24 Peggy Pick
Anita Gooderum Luke Iyumva
John Kraft Betty Wilson
6 Kenneth Engler Kyle Kraft
9 Cheryl Davis 25 Armand Linzmeyer
10 Corie Gessler 28 Betty Wehling
13 Charlie Bevan
14 Gerry Benjamin
15 Connie Schuster
16 Richard Arnett
A very Happy Birthday to each and If your birthday is incorrect or
every one of you! May the year ahead missing, please contact the church
be filled with wonderful memories to office (597-1043) so we can change or
cherish, and opportunities to serve update our records. Thank you.
God wherever He places them.
20CHURCH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES
John Butcher Teaker Harris, Jr.
fdccollect@aol.com Property
President Janice Lorimer
Jim Helle janice@keystosuccess1.com
hellejim@gmail.com Spiritual Ministries
Vice President Pastor Tom Slater
Ginny Engler pastorslater@cvlcfl.org
for November vme913@aol.com Paul Bartholomew
Administrative Liaison poja2@aol.com
is October 21st. Carol Benjamin Associate Member Rep.
cabenja46@gmail.com
Secretary
21SHARING CHRIST THAT ALL MIGHT LIVE VICTORIOUSLY!!
Sunday Worship Services – 9:30a.m.
Church Office Hours – Monday thru Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Friday Office closed
Phone (239)597-1043 Fax (239) 597-6028
Web page: www.christusvictorfl.org
E-mail: ChristusVictor@cvlcfl.org
THE REV. THOMAS J. SLATER, PASTOR
cell - 239-450-0699
Dawn King Joyce Reitz Susan O’Brien
Office Administrator Director of Music Director of Education & Youth
Sherry Slater Gerry Benjamin
Director of Senior Ministries Synod Parish Deacon
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